December's Showcase Full of Cheer and Surprises

December 20, 2020 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

The December Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase's Livestream Steel Guitar Saturday program was full of cheer and surprises. Featured on the program were steel guitarists Ocean Kaowili and Paul Kim. Showcase musicians Adam Asing and Kaipo Asing provided musical and vocal accompaniment.

Both Ocean and Paul were affiliated with Eddie Kamae's Sons of Hawai‘i and this was reflected in some of their selections. Both are also known for their falsetto stylings.

The first surprise was Bobby Ingano who stopped by to help out his fellow steel guitarists. Viewers were treated to dual steel guitar performances during Ocean's segment, with Ocean and Bobby trading off pa‘ani duties. Ocean did not disappoint, with his superb vocalizations and smooth steel guitar playing. Highlights of his performance included songs by Sam Koki, Andy Iona, and Sam Aiko's "Goodnight Leilani E."

Bobby played ‘ukulele for Paul Kim who performed several Lena Machado songs including "Moanikeala" and "Ho‘onanea" and and "Maile Lau Li‘ili‘i," a Sons of Hawai‘i favorite.

Emcee Alan Akaka interviewed Ocean and Paul prior to their performances. Artists were asked about their musical influences and what got them started in Hawaiian music and the steel guitar.

The segment between Ocean and Paul featured a NextGen Christmas with NextGen steel guitarists from Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music.

One the newest NextGen steel guitarists Mandy Gokan from Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i, played "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Tai Masalidis sang and played "Menehune Santa" and sister Joey Misailidis sang and played "Christmas Luau" with sister Tai assisting. Ethan Goore performed "Mele Kalikimaka" with Mauna Kea as his backdrop.

Another series of surprises were the performances by Justin Firmeza and Alexis Tolentino. Justin is another new member of NextGen but surprised everyone by performing all the instruments used in his selection, "Christmas Song." Justin was shown playing the steel guitar, piano, electic bass guitar, and ‘ukulele.

Not to be outdone, Alexis, a NextGen steel guitarist alumni now residing in Las Vegas, played all the instruments in her selection, "Christmas Hula" which included the steel guitar, U-bass, and ‘ukulele.

At the conclusion of the Showcase emcee Alan Akaka announced January's Showcase artists. Returning will be Greg Sardinha and Bobby Ingano, along with performances by NextGen steel guitarists.

The showcase ended with the group singing "Mele Kalikimaka," "I Love Those J-I-N-G-L-E Bells" and "Jingle Bells."

The December Showcase, along with all other Showcase presentations, is archived at the Showcase's Facebook Page. Happy Holidays!